A removable disk clamp assembly for mounting disk media on a motor-driven spindle of a magnetic read-write device includes a disk clamp and a mechanism for generating a predetermined force to press the disk media to a flange of the spindle such that the predetermined force can be repeatedly overcome by an applied counterforce to remove the disk clamp from engagement with a hub of the spindle. Such a mechanism may include a spring-loaded removable disk clamp assembly or a magnetic removable disk clamp assembly, and whereby a vacuum-driven chuck may be employed for disk and clamp handling purposes, all of which are suitable for implementation and use in a read-write device configured for use in an archival data storage system library such as in a cleanroom storage system.

A conveying roller position manipulation mechanism moves the position of a conveying roller between a first roller position where the conveying roller contacts an optical disc and a second roller position where the conveying roller is separated from the optical disc. A centering mechanism aligns the center of the optical disc with the position of a spindle motor. A chucking pulley operation mechanism manipulates the position of a chucking pulley configured to fix the optical disc to the spindle motor. The conveying roller position manipulation mechanism includes a rotary arm configured to move in response to a collision with the optical disc that approaches the position of the spindle motor, and at least one of the centering mechanism and the chucking pulley operation mechanism includes a member coupled to the rotary arm.

A removable disk clamp assembly for mounting disk media on a motor-driven spindle of a magnetic read-write device includes a disk clamp and a mechanism for generating a predetermined force to press the disk media to a flange of the spindle such that the predetermined force can be repeatedly overcome by an applied counterforce to remove the disk clamp from engagement with a hub of the spindle. Such a mechanism may include a spring-loaded removable disk clamp assembly or a magnetic removable disk clamp assembly, and whereby a vacuum-driven chuck may be employed for disk and clamp handling purposes, all of which are suitable for implementation and use in a read-write device configured for use in an archival data storage system library such as in a cleanroom storage system.

A removable disk clamp assembly for mounting disk media on a motor-driven spindle of a magnetic read-write device includes a disk clamp and a mechanism for generating a predetermined force to press the disk media to a flange of the spindle such that the predetermined force can be repeatedly overcome by an applied counterforce to remove the disk clamp from engagement with a hub of the spindle. Such a mechanism may include a spring-loaded removable disk clamp assembly or a magnetic removable disk clamp assembly, and whereby a vacuum-driven chuck may be employed for disk and clamp handling purposes, all of which are suitable for implementation and use in a read-write device configured for use in an archival data storage system library such as in a cleanroom storage system.

Phonograph record turntable stabilizing assemblies are provided that can include: a vessel having outer sidewalls; an opening within the vessel configured to receive the center spindle of the turntable; and a plurality of flowable solid particles to be received within the vessel. Phonograph record turntable stabilizing kits are provided. These kits can include: a vessel; an opening within the vessel configured to receive the center spindle of the turntable; and a plurality of flowable solid particles. Phonograph turntable assemblies are provided that can include: a phonograph turntable having a record thereon; a vessel upon the record; an opening within the vessel configured to receive the center spindle of the turntable; and a plurality of flowable solid particles within the vessel. Methods for stabilizing a record upon a turntable are provided. The methods can include: placing a vessel upon a record on a turntable; and at least partially filling the vessel with flowable solid particles.

An expanding locating pin assembly configured to locate and hold a part includes a housing, a locating pin, an actuating mechanism, and a controller. The housing is configured with a plurality of radial jaw guides and a part rest face. The locating pin has a plurality of jaws connected to and radially movable in the radial jaw guides and extending past the part rest face. The actuating mechanism synchronously moves the jaws to a radial position and applies a holding force to the part. The controller controls the radial position and the holding force of the jaws. The part rest face of the housing and the jaws of the locating pin are configured to receive the part in a located position. The jaws of the locating pin are configured to hold the part in the located position via the holding force and a friction force resulting from the holding force.

An expanding locating and clamping pin assembly configured to locate and clamp a part includes a housing, a locating pin, an actuating mechanism, and a controller. The housing is configured with a plurality of radial jaw guides and a part rest face. The locating pin has a plurality of jaws radially movable in the radial jaw guides, extending past the part rest face, and configured with a part clamping feature. The actuating mechanism is connected to the housing and the jaws and is configured to synchronously move the jaws to a radial position and to apply the clamping force. The controller controls the radial position of the jaws and the clamping force. The part rest face and the jaws of the locating pin are configured to receive the part in a located position and to clamp the part in the located position via the clamping force.

A disk media retaining and exchange system configured to accept a disk media assembly including a disk and a ferromagnetic material coupled therewith, includes a spindle motor assembly with a spindle motor and a permanent magnet retainer coupled therewith, whereby the system is configured to retain the disk on the spindle motor by a magnetic force between the ferromagnetic material of the disk media assembly and the permanent magnet retainer of the spindle motor assembly. An electromagnet disk exchange tool may be employed, configured such that energization of coils in close proximity to the disk media assembly overcomes the magnetic force to release the disk media assembly from retention with the spindle motor assembly, and generates another magnetic force between the ferromagnetic material of the disk media assembly and at least one electromagnet of the exchange tool to remove the disk away from the spindle motor for disk exchange.

A removable disk clamp assembly for mounting disk media on a motor-driven spindle of a magnetic read-write device includes a disk clamp and a mechanism for generating a predetermined force to press the disk media to a flange of the spindle such that the predetermined force can be repeatedly overcome by an applied counterforce to remove the disk clamp from engagement with a hub of the spindle. Such a mechanism may include a spring-loaded removable disk clamp assembly or a magnetic removable disk clamp assembly, and whereby a vacuum-driven chuck may be employed for disk and clamp handling purposes, all of which are suitable for implementation and use in a read-write device configured for use in an archival data storage system library such as in a cleanroom storage system.

An expanding locating pin assembly configured to locate and hold a part includes a housing, a locating pin, an actuating mechanism, and a controller. The housing is configured with a plurality of radial jaw guides and a part rest face. The locating pin has a plurality of jaws connected to and radially movable in the radial jaw guides and extending past the part rest face. The actuating mechanism synchronously moves the jaws to a radial position and applies a holding force to the part. The controller controls the radial position and the holding force of the jaws. The part rest face of the housing and the jaws of the locating pin are configured to receive the part in a located position. The jaws of the locating pin are configured to hold the part in the located position via the holding force and a friction force resulting from the holding force.